The main reason for the preparation of the study is the preservation and improvement of the competitiveness of the GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre in the field of meeting and trade fair activities, where it faces the lack of an adequate multifunctional hall. When large fairs are held, this situation is solved by renting prefabricated buildings, which is an unacceptable solution in the long-term. Most meeting activities therefore focus on small and medium-sized events of up to 1,000 participants.

The study examined current and future meetings demand in Slovenia and the region. As the current meetings capacities for serious development of activities were limited, we studied the possibility and potential of expansion of the fair and meeting halls of the GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre. Thus, in the study, we defined the programme design and economic effects of the enlarged GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre on the city of Ljubljana. Following the hypothetical model of financing, we also calculated the economic effects of the enlargement.

The specific questions to which we found the answers during the study were:

– Is there a market for increasing the number of events, especially those with more than 2,000 participants?

– How to increase the number of meeting guests who visit Slovenia for business, to also visit it either now or later for leisure as well?

– How to increase the consumption of meeting guests in the capital’s tourism and other sectors?

– How to achieve quality renovation and ensure the functionality and attractive appearance of Ljubljana’s business centre that is set around the GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre?

– How to properly position the extended capacities into the existing capacities?

– What business partnership is appropriate for the further development of activities?

– Is it possible through enlargement to ensure an adequate sustainable development of the GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre?